On-water Patrols

On the water, our vessels under orders are marked with patrol sign-boards bearing the red slash of the Coast Guard and fly the distinctive Coast Guard Auxiliary white and blue Patrol Ensign.

When so equipped these facilities become Coast Guard vessels and are no longer simply civilian boats.  Our crews are trained to rigorous Coast Guard Auxiliary standards so we are prepared to meet the challenges of a variety of marine situations, including emergencies.

Safety Patrols

Our safety patrols directly support the Coast Guard's maritime safety responsibilities.  For the Auxiliary, the safety patrol supports the search and rescue (SAR) mission specifically to locate and help persons and boats in distress.  While a routine safety patrol is being conducted, it is common practice for a facility to perform other missions, such as checking Aids to Navigation (ATON) or pollution levels.

Safety patrols provide important benefits for the boat crew, Coast Guard, and the public.  These benefits include:

• Practice for the crew and familiarization with their area of responsibility (AOR).

• Public seeing the Coast Guard Auxiliary in action.

• Public awareness that distress assistance is available.

• Increased opportunity for the boating public to obtain boating safety information, sea condition reports, or navigation hazard notices.

• Information for the federal, state, and local agencies responsible for updating navigation aids and charts.

• Detection of unreported events, including Search and Rescue (SAR) and pollution.

Regatta & Marine Events

Our flotilla provides on-water crowd control and spectator safety for the following events:

• 4th of July celebrations along the Omaha river front (Missouri River).

• Cornhusker State Games (sailing events).